New Zealand Christmas Tree
Metrosideros excelsa
Also listed as Metrosideros tomentosa, Nania tomentosa
Also known as Pohutukawa, New Zealand Bottlebrush, Pōhutukawa
Climate Match for your location
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A striking evergreen tree native to New Zealand, prized for its brilliant red or orange flowers that bloom around Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere. Naturally salt- and wind-tolerant, making it excellent for coastal gardens.
Why grow it
Metrosideros excelsa offers reliable winter color in mild climates where many deciduous ornamentals are dormant, making it useful for extending seasonal interest in Mediterranean or temperate coastal gardens. Among salt-tolerant trees suitable for exposed sites, it combines flowering display with structural evergreen form, though it grows more slowly than some alternatives and requires warm enough conditions to flower reliably. Its relatively compact mature size (to about 40 feet) makes it more manageable than some large native shade trees in similar climates.
Watch out for
Flowering intensity and timing can vary considerably depending on local temperature patterns and day length, so plants may bloom sparsely or at different times than the Southern Hemisphere pattern suggests. In cooler regions near its hardiness limit, growth may be noticeably slow and plants may take several years to establish a strong root system. Like many woody ornamentals, it benefits from shelter in its first few seasons and can take time to develop the dense branching form shown in mature specimens.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Myrtaceae
Native Range
New Zealand
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Vibrant Red' features deep crimson flowers, while 'Golden Lights' produces golden-orange blooms; both are widely cultivated for ornamental impact and reliable flowering.
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A striking evergreen tree native to New Zealand, prized for its brilliant red or orange flowers that bloom around Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere. Naturally salt- and wind-tolerant, making it excellent for coastal gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well New Zealand Christmas Tree grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Metrosideros excelsa offers reliable winter color in mild climates where many deciduous ornamentals are dormant, making it useful for extending seasonal interest in Mediterranean or temperate coastal gardens. Among salt-tolerant trees suitable for exposed sites, it combines flowering display with structural evergreen form, though it grows more slowly than some alternatives and requires warm enough conditions to flower reliably. Its relatively compact mature size (to about 40 feet) makes it more manageable than some large native shade trees in similar climates.
Watch out for
Flowering intensity and timing can vary considerably depending on local temperature patterns and day length, so plants may bloom sparsely or at different times than the Southern Hemisphere pattern suggests. In cooler regions near its hardiness limit, growth may be noticeably slow and plants may take several years to establish a strong root system. Like many woody ornamentals, it benefits from shelter in its first few seasons and can take time to develop the dense branching form shown in mature specimens.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Myrtaceae
Native Range
New Zealand
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Vibrant Red' features deep crimson flowers, while 'Golden Lights' produces golden-orange blooms; both are widely cultivated for ornamental impact and reliable flowering.